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Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR-CMERI hands over indigenous Water Technology to the MSMEs
Kolkata; November 25, 2021
CSIR-CMERI handed over the High Flow Rate Iron Removal Technology to M/s Maruti Tech, West Bengal today in the presence of Professor Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI. This is the 67th Transfer of CSIR-CMERI Water technology to the MSMEs and Business Entities across the Nation during the last five years. CSIR-CMERI is also organising a two-day Skill Development Training Programme on “Analytical Techniques and Instrumentation for Water Quality Assessment” on November 25 and 26, 2021. 29 students from the University of Calcutta, IIT Kharagpur, University of Kalyani, Nalanda Open University, BB College Asansol are attending the training program. This is the 6th SDP batch on ‘Analytical Techniques and Instrumentation for Water Quality Assessment’. 170 Students have been provided training by CSIR-CMERI on the subject till date, adhering to the COVID-19 protocols.
The High Flow Rate Iron Removal Technology purifies ground water by using Nano-filter media which can provide a reliable and affordable purification of iron from concentration-20 ppm to below WHO limit  from iron-contaminated groundwater between the range of 4,000-16,000 litres per hour. The multistage filtering system has been designed by arranging locally available media in various FRP vessels without compromising the pressure drop so that purified water can be obtained in a high flow rate. The water filtration system has been designed with a unique backwashing facility for minimizing maintenance as well running cost of operation.
Sharing his experience, Professor Hirani, said that Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Bihar, Odisha as well as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka are troubled by Iron Contamination problems in Water. A majority of the existing house-hold/domestic/community-level water filter generally uses imported media which are costly. Few available filtering media do not have the capabilities to remove bacterial contamination along with iron. To overcome these challenges, CSIR-CMERI has developed an innovative High Flow Rate Iron Removal Technology. The High Flow Rate Iron Removal Technology has been handed over to 20 Business Entities and products based on CSIR-CMERI technology has already been deployed in Araria, Purnia, Kishangunj, Madhepura, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Khagaria districts. Since, Iron contaminated water affects almost every aspect of human life, such as washing, drinking, bathing etc, the widespread adoption and deployment of the Technology across the Nation would give a significant boost to the ‘HarGharNalKaJalYojana’ initiative of the Prime Minister of India, professor Hirani added.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Schemes by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for development of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Sectors
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India presently implementing the following schemes and programme in all States/ UTs including Gujarat for development of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Sectors:
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- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana ,
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund ,
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission ,
- National Livestock Mission ,
- National Programme for Dairy Development ,
- Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund ,
- Supporting Dairy Cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organizations ,
- Entrepreneurship Development and Employment Generation ,
- Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme ,
- Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund .
This information was given by Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
PRESIDENT CONFERS VAYU SENA MEDAL  ON 912788 SERGEANT PARMENDER SINGH PARMAR, FLIGHT GUNNER
EMBARGO : NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/
OR USED ON SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE 15 AUG 22, 0001 HRS
912788 Sergeant Parmender Singh Parmar, Flight Gunner is on the posted strength of a Mi-17 V5 helicopter unit.
On 13 Sep 2021, a message was received from District Administration of Jamnagar regarding rescue of six civilians from Banga Village near Kalavad in Gujarat. The rescue operation involved winching up of six survivors from a building on the verge of being marooned and engulfed by heavy flowing river waters. The crew on reaching the village spotted the marooned house in the middle of an overflowing river. They quickly realised the gravity of the situation since it was raining heavily and the flow of river was increasing by the minute.
Sergeant Parmar and an additional Flight Gunner tried to rescue the civilians by lowering the winch cradle over the roof of the building, however no one turned up. Seeing other civilians on top of neighbouring buildings pointing to the marooned building he assessed that the stranded civilians were unable to reach the roof top. The crew made two unsuccessful attempts to rescue the civilians from the front main door; however the civilians could not board the winch cradle due to fear and heavy flow of the river. The intensity of the rain as well as the flow of the river had increased during the operation. Sergeant Parmar assessed that if not acted upon in time the survivors in the broken down building would be soon washed away. Despite the danger of being washed away himself, he volunteered to be winched down to the door of the building, without regard for his own safety. On reaching down, he realised the fury of the river with the staircase to the roof and one wall being washed away. He quickly planned the sequence of evacuation and helped the six civilians board the winch cradle, two at a time. After all of them were rescued, he was the last to be winched up from the marooned house. His ability to assess the gravity of the situation that was quickly getting out of control, timely intervention, disregard for personal safety and exceptional courage in the face of imminent danger ensured survival of all six stranded people.
For this act of exceptional courage, Sergeant Parmender Singh Parmar is awarded Vayu Sena Medal .
Ministry of Finance
India hosts First Meeting of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors April 6, 2021
India hosted a Meeting of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors virtually today on April 6, 2021. The meeting was jointly Chaired by Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and Governor, Reserve Bank of India, Shri. Shaktikanta Das. Participants included Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the BRICS countries.
As 2021 BRICS Chair, India’s approach is focused on strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation based on Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus.
This was the first meeting of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under India Chairship in 2021. BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors discussed financial cooperation agenda set by India for 2021 - Global Economic Outlook and Response to COVID-19 pandemic, New Development Bank  Activities, Social Infrastructure Financing and Use of Digital Technologies, Cooperation on Customs related issues, IMF reforms, Fintech for SMEs and Financial Inclusion, BRICS Rapid Information Security channel and BRICS Bond Fund. On the BRICS priorities and agenda for 2021, Finance Minister Smt. Sitharaman informed that the efforts should be made towards delivering outcomes that reflects the needs and aspirations of BRICS in particular and emerging markets and developing economies in general.
The Finance Minister emphasised the importance of BRICS in responding to the COVID-19 crisis through policy support and enhancing international coordination. Smt. Sitharaman highlighted that world’s largest vaccine drive by India is under way. India has supplied 64.5 million vaccine doses to 84 countries. Speaking on the importance of social infrastructure and use of digital technologies, The Finance Minister underscored the merit in engaging with private sector and exploring the innovative financing models. Smt. Sitharaman stated that the Prime Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme using an output-based funding model has triggered a major private investment cycle in health-care infrastructure, enabling significant expansion of health-care services to vulnerable citizens.
The Finance Minister talked about thematic priorities for New Development Bank for discussion during 2021 and the issues of membership expansion. Smt. Sitharaman also called for greater coordination among BRICS member countries on the issues of 16th general review of Quotas of IMF.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Govt. approves proposal for sale of 30 LMT of wheat under Open Market Sale Scheme
Sale through traders, state governments and cooperatives/federations/PSUs to ease domestic Wheat and Atta prices
The Food Corporation of India  will off load 30 LMT wheat from the Central pool stock to the market through various routes under the Open Market Sale Scheme .
Offloading of 30 LMT wheat in the market through OMSS  scheme within a span of two months through multiple channels will have wider reach as well as immediate impact on the soaring Wheat and Atta prices and will help containing the rising prices and will bring much relief to the common man.
To address the rising price of wheat and Atta in the country, Group of Ministers headed by Home Minister Sri Amit Shah met today and discussed the buffer stock position of the Country.
In order to have quick impact on the rising prices, following options to offload wheat to the market were approved by the Committee of Ministers :
- Wheat will be offered to the Flour millers, Bulk Buyers etc through e-auction for a maximum quantity of 3000 MT per buyer, per auction, from a FCI Region under e-auction.
- Wheat will also be offered to State Governments/UTs for their schemes without e-auction.
- Apart from the above channels, wheat will be offered at a concessional rates of Rs 2350/ Qtl to Govt PSUs/cooperatives/Federations, Kendriya Bhandar/NCCF/NAFED etc without e-auction. The sale under this special scheme will be subject to the stipulation that the buyer will convert wheat to atta and offer it to public at an Maximum Retail Price of Rs. 29.50 per Kg.
It is decided that Food Corporation of India willoffload wheat within the next two months to the market for immediate impact on the rising wheat and Atta prices.
FCI will start the process of E- auction of stocks immediately, throughout the country during January to March 2023.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 38.54 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 1.73 Cr balance and unutilized doses still available with States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
More than 38.54 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 36,80,68,124 doses .
More than 1.73 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Government approves lowering of NEET-PG cut offs by 6 percentile for the year 2019-20
The Health Ministry in consultation with the Board of Governors, Medical Council of India  has decided to reduce the qualifying percentile in respect of NEET-PG for the year 2019-20 by 6 percentile. Now, general category candidates with minimum of marks at 44 percentile, persons with disabilities category with minimum of marks at 39 percentile and SC/ST OBC category candidates at 34 percentile will become eligible for admission to Post Graduate courses for the academic year 2019-20.
All States/UTs were requested to make necessary arrangements for allowing students as per revised qualifying marks in any further rounds of counselling this year.
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Tourism under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme  has sanctioned 10 projects under the theme of Coastal Circuit: Shri G. Kishan Reddy
The Ministry of Tourism under its ‘Swadesh Darshan’ scheme provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory  Administrations/Central Agencies etc. for development of tourism infrastructure in the country. The projects under this scheme are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable Detailed Project Reports , adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier etc. The Ministry of Tourism under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme  has sanctioned 10 projects under the theme of Coastal Circuit.
The Ministry of Tourism has now revamped its Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0  in order to develop sustainable and responsible destination centric approach with the following objectives:
 To enhance the contribution of tourism to the local economies.
 To create jobs including self-employment for local communities.
 To enhance the skills of local youth in tourism and hospitality.
 To increase private sector investment in tourism and hospitality.
 To preserve and enhance the local cultural and natural resources.
In order to harness the potential of Cruise Tourism in the country, a Task Force has been constituted with Secretary  as the Chairman and Secretary  as the Co-chairman. The Task Force consists of representatives from the ports, Ministries of Health, Home Affairs, External Affairs, Customs, CISF, Coastal States, etc. The 13th meeting of the Task Force on Cruise Tourism was held on 27.04.2022.
The first Incredible India International Cruise Conference was held on 14th to 15th May, 2022 in Mumbai. It was the first cruise conference to bring all stakeholders together. Further, the Ministry of Tourism undertakes various promotional activities in the international and domestic markets to promote tourism products of the country including Coastal Tourism in a holistic manner. This includes release of media campaigns under ‘Incredible India’ brand-line, promotional events, social media promotions etc. The Ministry of Tourism is promoting Coastal Tourism through its website www.incredibleindia.org.
This information was given by Minister of Tourism Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds creation of 1 lakh jobs by MSMEs in Manipur
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded creation of 1 lakh jobs by MSMEs in Manipur.
In reply to a tweet by the Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N Biren Singh, the Prime Minister said;
"Well done Manipur! Keep up the good work of leveraging the strength of the MSME sector in order to further the state’s progress."
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Skill India and Start-Up India
Under Skill India Mission, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is implementing its demand driven flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana  with an objective to provide skilling to one crore people across the country in four years i.e. 2016-2020. As on 17.01.2020, 40.27 lakh and 32.34 lakh candidates have been trained and certified, respectively, under Short Term Training  courses. Out of these certified candidates, 16.61 lakh candidates have been provided with placement opportunities. Also, 33.20 lakh candidates have been oriented under Recognition of Prior Learning  component of the scheme.
Start-up India is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, intended to catalyse start-up culture and build a strong and inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in India. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade  acts as the nodal Department for the Start-up initiative. As on December 31, 2019, 26,804 startups across 555 districts have been recognized as startups by DPIIT. Employment of 3,06,848 jobs has been reported by 24,848 startups with an average number of 12 employees per startup."
Under PMKVY , in order to inculcate entrepreneurship in the candidates, training in English, Employability & Entrepreneurship  module of 155 hours is being imparted in addition to core curriculum of course. Further, TPs provide support for entrepreneurship development through facilitating bank linkages along with providing guidance and mentoring support. In addition, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras  are designated as Hand Holding Agencies for MUDRA loans on Udyamimitra Portal Small Industries Development Bank of India .
Under Stand-up India, assistance to Startups includes setting up Fund of Funds for Startups’  at SIDBI for providing fund support for Startups, relaxed norms in Public Procurement for Startups, Tax incentives, Legal Support and Fast-tracking Patent examination at Lower costs, Self-Certification based Compliance Regime, Setting up of Incubators and Tinkering Labs, etc.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri R.K. Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to inaugurate the Defence Offices Complexes at Kasturba Gandhi Marg and Africa Avenue on 16 September
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Defence Offices Complexes at Kasturba Gandhi Marg and Africa Avenue on 16 September 2021 at 11 AM. He will visit the Defence Office Complex at Africa Avenue and interact with Army, Navy, Air Force and Civilian Officers. This will be followed by his address to the gathering.
About New Defence Office Complexes
The new Defence Offices Complexes will accommodate around 7,000 officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, including Army, Navy and Air Force. The buildings will provide modern, secure and functional working spaces. An Integrated Command and Control Centre has been established for managing building operations, while also catering to the end to end safety and surveillance of both the buildings.
The new Defence Office Complexes are state-of-the-art and energy efficient, with comprehensive security management measures. One of the defining features of these buildings is the use of new and sustainable construction technology called LGSF , which reduced construction time from 24-30 months in case of conventional RCC construction. The buildings utilize resource efficient green technology and promote environment friendly practices.
The inaugural function will be attended by the Defence Minister, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, MoS Defence, MoS Housing and Urban Affairs, Chief of Defence Staff and Heads of Armed Forces.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to inaugurate the Atal Tunnel
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shall inaugurate Atal Tunnel, Rohtang at 10 AM on 3rd October 2020.
Atal Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in the World. The 9.02 Km long tunnel connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the year. Earlier the valley was cut off for about 6 months each year owing to heavy snowfall.
The Tunnel is built with ultra-modern specifications in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 Mtrs  from the Mean Sea Level .
The tunnel reduces the road distance by 46 Kms between Manali and Leh and the time by about 4 to 5 hours.
The South Portal  of Atal Tunnel is located at a distance of 25 Km from Manali at an altitude of 3060 Mtrs, while the North Portal  of the tunnel is located near village Teling, Sissu, in Lahaul Valley at an altitude of 3071 Mtrs.
It is horse shoe shaped, single tube double lane tunnel with a roadway of 8 Mtrs. It has an overhead clearance of 5.525 Mtrs.
It is 10.5-metre wide and has a 3.6 x 2.25 Mtrs fire proof emergency egress tunnel built into the main tunnel itself.
Atal Tunnel has been designed for traffic density of 3000 cars per day and 1500 trucks per day with max speed of 80 km/hr.
It has the state of the art electromechanical system including semi transverse ventilation system, SCADA controlled firefighting, illumination and monitoring system.
The Tunnel has ample safety features built into it. Some of the key safety features are
 Tunnel entry barriers at both portals.
 Telephone connections at every 150 Mtrs for emergency communication.
 Fire hydrant mechanisms at every 60 Mtrs.
 Auto incident detection system with CCTV cameras at every 250 Mtrs.
 Air quality monitoring at every 1 Km.
 Evacuation lighting / exit signs at every 25 Mtrs.
 Broadcasting system throughout the tunnel.
 Fire rated Dampers at every 50 Mtrs.
 Cameras at every 60 Mtrs.
The historic decision to construct a strategic tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was taken on June 03, 2000 when late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. The foundation stone for the Access Road to the South Portal of the tunnel was laid on May 26, 2002.
The Border Roads Organisation  worked relentlessly to overcome major geological, terrain and weather challenges that included the most difficult stretch of the 587-metre Seri Nalah Fault Zone. The breakthrough from both ends was achieved on October 15, 2017.
The Union Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 24th December 2019 and decided to name the Rohtang Tunnel as Atal Tunnel to honour the contribution made by the former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
After attending the inauguration function of the Atal Tunnel at South Portal, Manali, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shall be participating in public functions at Sissu in Lahaul Spiti and at Solang Valley.